Lapsenpiika (‘The nursemaid’), a short story, first published in the newspaper Keski-Suomi in December, 1887. Minna Canth and a new biography introduced by Mervi Kantokorpi

At last, Silja got her to show some signs of life. Emmi sat up, mumbled something, and rubbed her eyes. She still felt dreadfully sleepy.

‘What time is it?’

‘Getting on for five.’

Five? She had had three hours in bed. It had been half-past one before she finished the washing-up: there had been visitors that evening, as usual, and for two nights before that she had had to stay up because of the child; the lady had gone off to a wedding, and baby Lilli had refused to content herself with her sugar-dummy. Was it any wonder that Emmi wanted to sleep? More…

About the author

Minna Canth (1844–1897) was a playwright, journalist, author, widow, mother of seven, shopkeeper and a pioneering feminist. An undeterred polemicist, Canth created a tradition of radical, socially critical prose at a time when women had few rights and poor people practically none in society. Her drama and works of fiction have remained topical – and become classics.